Inside 'lucky' PSV as Rangers legends turn Eindhoven spies to give Champions League lowdown on Van Nistelrooy, Veerman, Gakpo and Co

The fact it's a Champions League playoff tie means there would have been huge interest in Rangers' clash with PSV Eindhoven anyway. But the strong connection between the Dutch and the Ibrox club has added a bit of an extra edge to the massive Euro showdown

Dick Advocaat led the Dutch revolution at Rangers when he succeeded Walter Smith back in the summer of 1998. Arthur Numan was his first recruit, the full back leaving PSV Eindhoven after six years at the Philips Stadium to move across the North Sea after competing at the World Cup for Holland that summer.

Plenty others followed such as current boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Mols, the late Fernando Ricksen, Bert Konterman, the legendary De Boer brothers, Ronald and Frank, as well as backroom and medical staff.

Numan, in his column for 5Stars, and Ronald De Boer speaking to the Herald & Times, have both given their thoughts on the massive tie with in-depth analysis of Dutch strike legend Ruud van Nistelrooy's side who edged past Monaco in a thrilling third round qualifier. Here's what the Dutch duo had to say.

Two things always kept my confidence high that Rangers would defeat Union SG - Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Ibrox crowd. Thankfully, my belief wasn't misplaced. The effort to overturn the two goal deficit from the first leg was outstanding. Despite some of the ridiculous criticism aimed at Gio and a few of the players after the first leg.I had high hopes for Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman. Both scored to put the tie beyond doubt.

It has set up a mouthwatering tie between Rangers and another of my former clubs, PSV Eindhoven. PSV is coached by former Manchester United and Holland striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy. He joined PSV as a player in 1998, the